State lifts limits on flu shots

But now, with the epidemic on the verge of heating up in the state, vaccine supplies are plentiful enough to offer them to anyone who wants a shot.

"There's still time," said Irene Litwak. immunization coordinator for the Danbury Visiting Nurse Association. "We're hoping that people who wanted to get vaccinated earlier in the year - but couldn't - will take advantage of this."

The Danbury VNA will hold two open flu vaccine clinics in the coming week. The first will be Tuesday , from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the PAL Building on Hayestown Road. The second will be Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Danbury Fair mall.

Immunization is the best way to ward off a case of influenza - the viral disease that circles the global annually, causing a high fever, headache, fatigue and a hacking cough. Most people recover after a week of misery. Others don't. Influenza kills 36,000 Americans every year and sends another 115,000 to the hospital.

The Centers for Disease Control has steadily increased its recommendations for those it thinks should get an annual flu shot and gradually, more people have asked for one.

This year, the United States faced a vaccine shortage when one of the two producers of the vaccine - Chiron Corp. - closed down its production lines because of a bacterial contamination of its vaccine. That cut the nation's vaccine supply in half, and forced heath departments to ration it to those most in need - senior citizens, people with chronic diseases, and infants under 2 years old.

More vaccine soon came on the market. In late December, the state Department of Public Health said anyone over 50 years old could get vaccinated. On Wednesday, it lifted all restrictions, saying anyone over six months old could get a shot.

The state lifted those restrictions on the cusp of the state's flu season. Litwak said the state's annual flu epidemic will reach its peak in Connecticut sometime in February. Because it takes about 10 days to two weeks for the vaccine to become effective, there's still time to get vaccinated.

"Even if you get vaccinated, and then catch the flu, it should make your symptoms much milder," she said.

To sign up for influenza vaccination at the Danbury VNA's two clinics, call (203) 792-4120.